Today, the world is truly a global village. Thanks to technological progress, infrastructural growth, and improved communication, the world is extremely well-connected. People can travel to remote places, post things to different corners of the world and contact their loved ones, anytime, from anywhere.
What to Consider before Choosing a Shipping Partner for your Brand
While the improvements in information technology have increased connectivity on a personal level, they have also been a boon for businesses, especially small businesses. Earlier, small businesses had smaller audiences that were restricted to a town, city or state sometimes. But today, with massive changes in the logistics industry it is extremely convenient to tie up with a shipping partner and take your business to the next level.
Earlier, shipping facilities were extremely limited and incredibly expensive in India. But in the past few years, a lot of shipping and courier services have been established. They provide timely and cost-efficient services. Today, you can send your product to the most remote corners of the country in a speedy manner.
Whatever industry you’re in. Whichever product you deal in, there will be multiple shipping partners you could collaborate with. There is a shipping company for every need and every budget.
Factors to consider before choosing a shipping partner:
However, partnering with a shipping company is a big decision and it must be taken after considering a lot of factors. Let us now explore every factor you must analyze while choosing a shipping company
Cost:
The first and foremost concern that any business will have is the cost factor. Since small businesses don’t operate on the scale, they have a lot of overhead expenses. Thus, when it comes to selecting a shipping company, they must consider the cost of shipping. If the business itself is based in a remote location or a smaller town, the costs would be even higher. Different companies charge different rates. The rates will differ between domestic companies and international companies as well. Ecommerce shipping solutions in India like Dash101 provide affordable shipping rates for all parts of the country. Be sure to decide your shipping budget and find a shipping company that provides you services within that range.
Weight:
Weight is a major concern for businesses whose products are heavier. Heavy products are costlier when it comes to shipping and this increases the overall cost steeply. Additionally, some shipping companies might charge extra for the shipping of heavy products. The courier charges in India per kg usually differ. Sometimes, heavy products are also more likely to get damaged. So it is important to check with the company if they provide insurance.
Area coverage:
The cost of shipping increases or decreases depending on how far you’re shipping it. Shipping products within India might be cheaper than shipping them out of the country. Additionally, not all companies offer to ship outside India. Initially, it is advisable to start shipping domestically and to scale up only when you want to expand globally.
Shipping calculation method:
When it comes to calculating the shipping costs, you must study how different companies charge for shipping. The two most common shipping methods are Flat-rate shipping or Table-rate shipping. Flat-rate shipping includes a flat rate that is charged for all orders within a certain state, country or region. On the other hand, Table-rate shipping is more complex. It is calculated based on several factors like weight, distance, how fast the parcel is supposed to be delivered. It thus varies and is not fixed. Depending on your business offering and your budget, you must choose a shipping company that calculates costs in a manner that is viable for you.
Speed of delivery:
The speed at which your product is delivered makes a great difference. This is why it must be one factor that influences your decision regarding a shipping partner. While all companies would like to have their products delivered quickly, for some it is more important than for others. For companies that sell perishable products, especially food and beverage items, it is important that delivery is quick and efficient. Certain shipping companies are known for providing speedy services in every part of the world. If speed is your priority, you must check with companies about their delivery speed before finalizing who to partner with.
Select a shipping company that checks most of the boxes
While all these factors play an important role and must be considered before deciding on a shipping company, it might be difficult for a company to fulfil all the criteria. For instance, a shipping company that offers speedy delivery might not be cheap and a company that might be affordable for regular products might be expensive for heavier products. In such cases, it is important to prioritize and decide which factors are the most important for your company and to
Conclusion | What to Consider before Choosing a Shipping Partner for your Brand
While your product is the USP of your business, your shipping partner makes sure that the product reaches your customer in a timely manner and in perfect condition. Therefore, it is important to choose a shipping company whose objectives align with yours.
